Question #0db42
1 Answer
Nov 24, 2017
+1 when it loses a valence electron, -1 when it gains an electron
Explanation:
An atom is made up of
- Protons - positively charged particles
- Neutrons - neutral particales
- Electrons - negatively charged particles
For an atom to have a neutral charge, the number of electrons must equal the number of protons in the nucleus.
In a copper atom there are 29 positive protons in the nucleus, and 29 negative electrons in the shells. The charges balance each other out:
29 - 29 = 0
If it loses an electron from the valence shell, it now only has 28 electrons for the 29 protons, giving it a net charge of +1
29 - 28 = +1
If copper gains an electron, it now has 30 electrons for the 29 protons, giving it a net charge of -1
29 - 30 = -1
